Hello Saturday morning.  This week, and after a slight pause in proceedings, I am back in my bathroom testing products, which means that over the next few weeks and months I will be doing new product and brand launches on here.  And given that there is no time like the present, I am doing the first of these today. I also have three treats to write about. Three.  With no mention of what Shabir’s face looked like when he found out, I shall carry on.

So in a brief round-up, and taking Ionicell out of the equation, the most-wanted product from last Saturday was Trek Natural, which doesn’t surprise me because as you will have read, we believe this to be the best anti-viral insect repellent currently available.  It’s all about the level of Citriodiol in each formulation, and at 40% this whacks it to you (and me).  We still await determination from the Ministry of Defence as to whether Citriodiol actively works to help kill the Covid-19 virus.  I am not going to second-guess this, but notwithstanding that, we believe that its brilliance as an insect repellent makes it stand-alone in long-lasting efficacy.
Trek Natural £9.50 for 100 ml

Let’s do the first treat.  It’s another one of our bestselling products.  We believe it is in a class of its own.  We have always recommended that everybody should take this product, but its importance has been magnified over the past few weeks because it manufactures antibodies, which has always been crucial, but now it is as important as it has ever been.  Of course I’m talking about Mega-Probiotic ND.  Shabir has written several articles about the importance of probiotics which you can find on the product page.  Mega P (as we call it) is normally £19.50 for 60 Capsules.  But not this weekend. The short weekend.  Not the long one!

In the full knowledge that this will create a semi-riot and that I will probably be under my desk by about 10 am, which seems to be a weekly occurrence, I have created the Mega Probiotic Twin Pack which is £30.  I’m pretty rubbish at maths, but even I can work out that you save £9.  The logistics.  This is a weekend only offer, so it will end tomorrow at midnight GMT on Sunday 24^th May or whilst stock lasts.  Whichever happens first.  It’s keyboard time.  Again.  Bash.
Mega Probiotic ND Twin Pack £30

If we are talking about crucial supplementation, this would of course include our current recommendation about the importance of taking Vitamin D3.  I know I write about this almost every week, but every which way I turn, there are an increasing volume of articles across the media about D3.  I have always believed in integrated medicine and it is at this point that allopathic and complementary medicine become one in their recommendation of D3.  I truly believe that over time, D3 will become the one supplement that we will all take, no matter what.  It is happening exponentially.  The numerous facets of D3 are far-reaching, categoric and essential.  And so are the clinicals and studies that are being urgently undertaken investigating Vitamin D3’s role in the resistance of Covid-19.  Please use.  And I don’t have shares in Better You. I promise.
DLux+Vitamin D+K2 Spray by Better You £9.95 for 12 ml; DLux 3000 by Better You £7.95 for 15 ml; DLux Junior Vitamin D Oral Spray by Better You £6.25 for 15 ml; DLux Infant Vitamin D Oral Spray by Better You £5.95 for 15 ml

Can we please take a moment to talk about Magnolia Rhodiola Complex.  Again, one of our bestselling supplements, Magnolia Rhodiola really helps with stress and anxiety, which so many are experiencing right now.  I think it is fair to say that we all have moments when we wobble, and it is perfectly normal.  There is no stigma attached to asking for help, which many of you do, or taking a powerful supplement that can help ease stress.  So from the archives, Shabir’s article, which I hope helps those who need it, which I guess is just about all of us.  I need to add that if you are taking prescribed anti-depressants, you cannot take Magnolia Rhodiola alongside these.  And breathe.  We are in this together.  We will emerge together.
VH Editorial: How To Combat Stress Effectively; Magnolia Rhodiola Complex £28 for 60 Capsules

So here it is.  The new product launch.  Many of you will remember when we launched the original Thyme Out because it was featured all over the press and it went slightly bonkers.  Actually a lot bonkers.  So now a new addition to the range.  Thyme Out Face and Body Wash.  It doesn’t hold back on the label as it describes itself as ‘the knockout wash’.  We believe it is just that because it has a multitude of uses, including helping eczema, acne, psoriasis, rosacea, cold sores, skin inflammation, pet rashes and a plethora of other things.  It is especially recommended for the most problematic teenage skin and it does this without the use of harsh detergents or soaps, in other words it is an all-natural hypoallergenic wash.

It can also be used directly on blemishes as a pre-treatment and it is formulated with just four natural ingredients.  These are Thyme in a blend of Coconut foaming agent (Coco-Glucoside), Apple Juice derived foaming agent (Foaming Apple) and purified water.  Take it in the shower, use it as a body wash, use it on your pets and it is safe for children.  Fully tested by me.  It is in my shower and my touchy-touchy skin rather likes it.  Another heroic product. To partner the original.
Thyme Out Face and Body Wash £18 for 210 ml; Thyme Out £18 for 200 ml

If I may, I would like to talk about basic things.  Basic beauty actually. And eyebrows.  Lord above, the eyebrows.  I don’t want to sound pathetic (except I suppose I do), but I cannot do my own eyebrows.  Over the years I have tried, trust me, I have used this gadget, that gadget, stencils and any number of other things.  No matter what, I spectacularly fail on every level.  I think it’s possibly because they are pretty uneven to begin with.  So I decided I was going to try and came up with a counter-plan.  That plan is in the shape of a bottle of Castor Oil.  Good old-fashioned basic Castor Oil. 

It makes your eyebrows grow you see.  And actually it makes your lashes grow too. I like simple things, so for just under £10 we can be simple together.  The theory was that if I used this every morning and every evening, I would, in time have abundant eyebrows and lashes.  And it’s working.  My God it’s working.  It all helps of course that my fringe covers my eyebrows, despite having cut it at least three times with nail scissors (it’s a theme) during lockdown.  So by the time there is some semblance of normality, I will have more eyebrows to shape, the gaps will hopefully be gone and it could well be that they become perfect.  I invite you to join me.  And on lashes.  I don’t do fake.  I tried it once.  I looked totally ridiculous.  And then I got an allergy to the stupid glue.  Of course.
Organic Castor Oil by Pukka Herbs £9.95 for 250 ml

As I mentioned last week, my sleep pattern has gone somewhat out of sync and I know I’m not alone.  So many of us are all over the place with our time clocks, so we need to help regulate ourselves if we can.  A few simple suggestions, keeping this short and sweet.  Read Shabir’s article, the signs and signals of sleep loss; try taking Cherry Night or the wonderful Sleep Easy Tincture (you can safely use both); have a magnesium bath about an hour before going to bed (it really helps with relaxation); spray your bedroom with Beat The Blues room spray; get into bed and pop on a Spacemask.  And (note to myself) do not eat chocolate in bed.  It’s concerning for white sheets.
VH Editorial: Signs and Signals of Sleep Loss; Cherry Night £26.70 for 150 grams; Sleep Easy Tincture by Blooming Blends £22 for 30 ml; Magnesium Oil Original Flakes by Better You £9.95 for 1 kg; Beat The Blues Room Spray £10 for 15 ml; Spacemasks £15 for Five Masks

A few weeks ago I wrote about Sarah Chapman’s Facialift.  So what happened, it went out of stock after I suggested you sit rolling your face upwards whilst watching Netflix, or whatever.  Actually, I’ve more or less lost the will to live when it comes to box sets.  I just can’t anymore.  But never mind that, I need to tell you that the Facialift is now back in stock.  That’s the first piece of news.  The second piece will excite you as I find yet another reason to hide under my desk. With every Sarah Chapman order of £20 and above, we will automatically throw in a gift.  It’s a rather fabulous gift actually.  It’s the Bodylift and it’s worth £32.

The Bodylift body massage tool is inspired by the Facialift face tool and has 12 rolling heads and 72 massaging nodules to help encourage the lymphatic system to drain toxins and reduce puffiness from the body.  It also helps ease muscle tension and it’s great to use on upper arms, thighs, buttocks (a lift perhaps) and calves.  So a couple of things, this will not show up on your order  confirmation (so please don’t email me!), but will automatically be included in your order, as above.  This is a limited time offer, there is only one gift per customer and once it’s gone, it’s gone.  I can’t put a time limit on it, but I would suggest you don’t hang around if you want this gift. Go!
Sarah Chapman

Time for another common health concern.  Fungal nails.  Toenails and fingernails. Some of the symptoms include the discolouration of nails, together with discharge from the nail bed.  There are of course supplements to help eradicate the recurrence of fungal nails, but in full transparency they are difficult to get hold of at the moment because of ongoing raw ingredient issues, so I have a little trick up my sleeve.  It comes in the form of Fulvic Acid Nail Cream.  The much loved and adored Fulvic Acid Nail Cream.

Mostly we are all using Fulvic Acid Nail Cream because of its brilliance in strengthening and fortifying our naked nails, but actually I need to tell you that it also has three powerful anti-fungal ingredients.  These are Fulvic Acid, Tea Tree Oil and Lemon Grass Oil.  With regular use, perhaps twice a day, this will help the recovery of fungal nails. Just massage a little into the nail bed and onto the nail itself.  But wait.  There is more.  It can also be used in the treatment of athlete’s foot. It does this by providing relief from itching, burning, cracking and scaling symptoms, which are prevalent in foot infections.  So there we have it.  Each week Shabir asks me when I am going to put Fulvic Acid Nail Cream back to its regular price.  He’ll ask me again when he reads this.  Doesn’t matter.  I just start singing. The status quo remains.
Fulvic Acid Nail Cream £10 for 30 ml

Over on Health Notes this week, doctors say Covid-19 patients are at high risk of potentially fatal blood clots but, as Sarah explains, we all are, so you need to know the symptoms and act fast if you have a pain in your leg.  And if you missed Sarah’s article last week about the legendary Gloves In A Bottle, do take a moment to read it.  I think I’ve read it about eight times.  It makes me tremendously happy.  But then so does Gloves.  Epic.
You Need To Know About Blood Clots by Sarah Stacey; Helping Hands With Gloves In A Bottle; Gloves In A Bottle £10.50 for 240 ml; Gloves In A Bottle Handbag Size £5.15 for 60 ml

There is something about Derma E, the skincare brand.  This is the brand that we have listed since the beginning of VH time.  This is also the brand that appeared in The Sunday Times Style magazine about two decades ago with the heading ‘this is the brand the big boys don’t want you to know about’.  There are some headlines you never forget, and that is one of them.  Let me explain.  It doesn’t try to be anything but itself.  It won’t jump out at you.  It never has.  Yet quietly, very quietly, some of Derma E’s formulations were, and continue to be, light years ahead of anything else available on the market.  I think that if there was such a thing as a secret weapon brand, Derma E would be that brand. 

With some new launches coming from them in the next few weeks, I thought I would pre-empt that by giving you a little treat.  That treat is their Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask.  It is good for all skin types, but especially good for urban or oily skin.  It works for me and I have normal skin.  So here is the treat. I will include two (yes two) sachets of this mask with every order placed for £15 and above. It doesn’t matter which products you order, but there is only one gift per customer, it is a (short) weekend treat only and will cover all orders until midnight GMT on Sunday 24 May, or whilst stock lasts.  Happy masking.  Of the skincare kind.
Derma E

I just want to let you know that Annee de Mamiel has just released her Spring Facial Oil. It’s a wake-up call for dull, tired skin and those who follow Annee will of course love it.  Also from Annee, Anchor.  Anchor is from the de Mamiel Sleep Series range (which is of course amazing).  I am a huge advocate of reflexology and so may I suggest that after bathing at night (or foot bathing, which is completely fabulous) you massage Anchor into the soles of your feet with your thumbs.  It helps to reduce stress levels too.  Do try.
Spring Facial Oil by de Mamiel £80 for 20 ml; Anchor by de Mamiel £42 for 10 grams

And on Wednesday night, in the middle of nothing in particular, Trinny did a VH Online Shop Up. I didn’t know she was doing it and my eyes nearly fell out of my head as I watched her go through the list of her favourite products.  It’s a long list. Wow, Trinny, thank you. A tribute.
Trinny Does VH

Our feature article this week is written by Jackie Annesley where she waxes lyrical about the pleasure she gets from tea.  A Paean To Tea is a one-girl-relationship with tea, where Jackie declares that there is nothing more upsetting than bad tea.  As George Orwell once wrote, tea-making is ‘the subject of violent disputes’.  It probably will be after you read this!
A Paean To Tea by Jackie Annesley

Together with Shabir, Lara and the VH team, I wish you a restful Bank Holiday weekend.
With love in our hearts and with thoughts to all who are experiencing difficult times.
We stand as one. And always will.

With love

Gill x

 

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*Free gifts will only be granted if the items purchased are physical products and your total basket value exceeds the required amount noted.  Saturday only treats are subject to change should the specified gift run out prior to your purchase and are only included in orders placed between 7.45am (GMT) and Midnight (GMT) on the Saturday the Weekend Read is sent.  VH Addicts membership is a digital product and therefore will be excluded from the basket value.  Some gifts are blocked from international shipping due to local limitations imposed based on the country destination.  If this is the case, we will replace the gift with one that is able to be shipped to your destination.